Process for Long Beach, Seal Beach and Signal Hill

1. Complainant Informs Animal Care Services of Alleged Violation(s)

To initiate the complaint process for any violation of the municipal code, the complainant should contact Long Beach Animal Care Services at (562) 570-7387 and provide specific evidence if available (i.e. animal address, owner name, date, time, nature of activity, additional witnesses, photo) to customer support representative.

2. Animal Control Officer Makes Contact with Responsible Person

An Animal Control Officer will attempt to locate the Personal Responsible and in person or by proof of service by US Mail,serve the warning of potential violation. If the enforcement officer determines that a Personal Responsible has violated a section of the municipal code, the officer may issue a citation at that time (i.e. license requirement, proof of rabies inoculation, noise violation).

Upon recommendations of the Animal Control Officer, the Person Responsible of the nuisance animal will be given a reasonable amount of time to resolve the problem. The enforcement officer will record any statements in response to the alleged violation.

If alleged violations continue, complainant must inform Animal Care Services by phone and complete the Petition to Declare a Witnessed Violation of the Long Beach Municipal Code. This provides the enforcement officer with evidence-statements and signatures-under the penalty of perjury, to support the issuance of a citation. Person Responsible is afforded the right to due process in the form of a citation appeal hearing.

5. If Violation Persists, Complainant Informs Animal Care Services

If the violation persists, complainants must document and inform Animal Care Services. Each and every day a violation exists constitutes a separate and distinct offense and is subject to additional citations and penalties. Ongoing violations of the municipal code may result in criminal prosecution.

*For information on complaints for Cerritos and Los Alamitos please call us at 562-570-7387 during regular business hours.

Goats and Chickens

To file a noise complaint about goats and chickens please visit the forms at Long Beach Health and Human Services. Please use the two forms "How to File a Noise Complaint in the City of Long Beach" and "Noise Complaint Form and Petition".

Rooster (Crowing Fowl)

To file a complaint about crowing fowl please call us at 562-570-7387.

Report Animal Cruelty

If you witness or suspect animal cruelty, you should contact us immediately at 562-570-7387. If you feel an animal's life is in imminent danger, please call 9-1-1.

Here are some signs of animal cruelty:

Intentional injury or harm to an animal

Willfully depriving an animal of food, water or necessary medical care

Wounds or patches of missing hair on the animal

Extremely thin or severely hungry animal

Limping or visible untreated injury

An owner striking or physically abusing an animal

Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food or water and who are often chained

Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owner

Animals who are kept outside, without shelter, in extreme weather conditions

Animals showing signs of injury or illness and have not been taken to a veterinarian

Veterinarians are required by law to report any suspected cruelty or neglect immediately to Animal Care Services.

When reporting suspected animal cruelty, residents should provide their own name, address and phone number. Be prepared to give us a description of the animal (color, size, distinguishing features, collar color, etc.) and the person initiating the abuse, as well as the address, date and time of the incident.

Documenting the incident with photographs and video can be very helpful in prosecution. Please only take pictures or video if you feel you are safe.